Sir Bobby Robson’s Cancer Trials Research Center, at the Newcastle Freeman Hospital is doing very well, and is just one of the many legacies Sir Bobby has left behind, following his life as one of the best coaches football has ever known.
Bobby Robson greeted by Alan Shearer – 26th July, 2009
Last February 18th, Bobby would have been 77 years old, and has to go down as one of Newcastle’s great managers.
In September od 1999 he took a team, ravaged by the eccentricities of Ruud Gullit, who were languishing second bottom of the league on some 3 points after 7 games and a recent home defeat by Sunderland 2-1.
Bobby, by his genius took the team to 11th position on 52 points for the season – so in 31 games the lads got 49 points – not too bad at all.
And famously, in his first home game as manager of Newcastle United we demolished bottom-placed Sheffield United 8-0 at St. James’ Park, with a certain Alan Shearer scoring 5 times, still a record for the Premier League.
That was a brilliant piece of managing and coaching from the Sacriston, County Durham born legend, who somehow was able to inspire his players to play better than their skills would suggest.
That’s almost the definition of good coaching.
And Bobby went onto take Newcastle into the European Champions League, and in his final 3 seasons on Tyneside, the club finished in 4th, 3rd and 5th position.
And as we know, for Freddy Shepherd that 5th place wasn’t good enough, and he sacked Bobby after a few games into the 2004-2005 season, and brought in one of the worst managers to ever manage the club – Graeme Souness – who lasted just 16 months.
Sir Bobby of course passed away just 5 days after Newcastle staged an England vs Germany game at St. James’ Park to commemorate the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup when Germany finally went through on penalties.
The Newcastle legend passed away on 31st July, 2009 but his name, spirit and legacy lives on strongly, not only at Newcastle United and Ipswich Town, but also in world football.
For the record Bobby managed 255 games at Newcastle and won 119, drew 72 and lost 64 games. Bobby’s win average on Tyneside was 46.7%.
That record in a 38 game PL season would get Newcastle around 63 points each season (18 wins and 9 draws) – and that tells you where Bobby had the Newcastle club, and we cherish his memory.
The lads could do worse today than dedicate the Watford game to Sir Bobby’s memory.
Then we’d be sure to capture all 3 points.
1 comment so far
richietoon
Feb 27, 2010 at 12:25 PM
Comment #1I think you’ll find it was sheff wed we beat in Sir Bobby’s first home game!